A/N: These are short stories about Niles and Daphne that I have rewritten in AU form to have them interact in every single episode (even when they didn't know each other or had no scenes together!) In order to keep the length manageable, there will be 11 parts to this story, one for each season. Ten more of these will follow. Each story represents a season (this one being Season 1) and each episode is a chapter title, told in alternating POV's.
(Niles POV)
Café Nervosa, 10:30 am
"Frasier, I can't thank you enough for taking Dad in like this. I have no doubt that the two of you will become closer than ever."
"Well, it will definitely take some getting used to, but it will be nice to become reacquainted with Dad after all this time. But are you sure you won't reconsider, Niles? Your mansion is much larger than my condo at the Elliot Bay Towers."
Niles chuckled at his older brother's attempt at humor, for they had this very discussion the day before, in this very cafe. Café Nervosa, the place that had become their regular hangout since Frasier had moved back to Seattle from Boston. And it was only fitting that Niles ask Frasier to meet him here when he broke the news about their dad's unfortunate fall in the bathroom.
"Very clever Frasier, which is precisely why I can't possibly take Dad in. He and Maris don't get along at all and the whole arrangement would be a complete disaster!"
Frasier rolled his eyes. "Right… So you were telling me about these angels called Home Health Care Workers?"
"Yes, I'll contact the agency first thing in the morning. Frasier, you won't regret this."
"It's too late for that, Niles. Well, I'm off to the station. It was good seeing you, Niles."
"You too, Frasier."
Niles smiled as he watched his older brother walk out of the café. Their relationship had been rocky since Frasier had moved to Boston, but now that he was back in Seattle, Niles hoped that things would soon change. He turned and headed for the men's room when he unexpectedly collided with someone. After a temporary dissolution, he was able to focus and he gasped in horror. For there in front of him was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
"Dear God, I am so sorry! Are you all right?"
The woman, who had chestnut brown hair and the face of an angel, was wearing a flowered dress. And when she smiled at him it made her even more beautiful. But it was the heavenly scent that wafted from her hair that made his knees weak.
"I'm fine." She said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "It was my fault. I never seem to look where I'm going. My head is always in the clouds, according to me brothers."
Niles chuckled. "I doubt that. You seem very intelligent."
She smiled and took his hand, causing him to shiver at her touch. Her skin was smooth as silk. "What a nice man you are, and I'm so sorry for not watching where I was going. Are you all right?"
He opened his mouth to speak but was barely able to form the word. "Yes. I-I'm fine."
"Well, I'm glad. It was nice to meet you, Mister…"
"Oh… Crane… Niles Crane… Um… Doctor Crane, actually. I'm a psychiatrist."
"Oh! That's very nice! Doctors are such wonderful people."
"Thank you, Miss…"
She glanced at her watch and gasped in surprise. "Oh, bloody hell! Me bus is going to be here any minute! I have a job interview and I don't want to be late!"
"I'd be happy to drive you where you need to go."
"That's not necessary and I wouldn't want to impose on you like that. I'll be just fine on me own. I'm sorry to rush off on you like this and it was nice meeting you, Dr. Crane. I hope we can see each other again, although I have a feeling that we'll be seeing a lot of each other! Goodbye!"
She moved past him and ran out the door and he waved absently to her. "Goodbye, Miss…" He couldn't help noticing the way her chestnut hair bounced against the collar of her sweater as she hurried to the sidewalk. And her words resonated in his head.
"I have a feeling that we'll be seeing a lot of each other."
He certainly hoped so.